Falling out of Love with Berlin

Usually I look at the "Berlin Hates You" signs and smile grimly, happy to have made it this far in a tough city to call home. But lately the message has been feeling a lot more personal.

We originally moved to Berlin with something that can only loosely be called a plan. No jobs, no friends, no place to stay...we were young and dumb and thought it would work out and miraculously IT DID. We found jobs, Ian as a teacher and I wrote expat guides. We made friends. We traveled. We were happy and the city was our oyster.

Great Signs of America

We never reveled in the "America - fuck yeah!" attitude of some of our gun-wielding, flag waving, big truck driving brethren in the States. But something about being away and becoming an expat has us energetically pointing out everything that screams America to us when we are back in the ole' US of A.

On this trip, it was signs. After our friend Ian's thoughtful post on being a Fontophile, I've been paying more attention to the road posts, businesses, and signs that point the way. America, particularly Ian's area of Eastern Washington, is truly rich in signage.

Home at Last

Last day in Berlin

Free at last free at last! Ok, not completely. We are living at home with the parents and while we don't have the repressive curfew or dress code, it is odd to bum money off of them and live with their way of life again. On the plus side- free room and board! That means a lot after a year of poverty in Berlin and 3o some days of living on the lamb across Europe. Thanks p's!

I'm Freaking Out Man!

This is it- One more week in Berlin. Excluding the day back in September. And when we come back on our honeymoon. And coming back whenever we get a chance. BUT really our last week of this first year in Europe.

Don't get me wrong- I cannot wait to come home & see everybody (missed you p's!), and ride my horses, make Bella do kitty-boxing, pick out a dog, eat Mexican food, buy from Framer's Markets, search for a new Ballard/Fremont apartment, bike in Seattle (I know we are crazy), meet our new foreign exchange student Thomas, show all of our pictures, and even drive a car (although I need a new driver's license)! I have missed it, a lot.

But this has been a magic year, running out too fast. And this trip is going to be incredible. I cannot believe the pictures we have seen and the amazing people we have heard from. In a week and a day I am going to the Spanish Riding School! We are going to Transylvania! I am going to buy trinkets in Istanbul! I am going to the Greek Isles! It is almost too much...almost.